Ambach+v.+Norwick

Ambach, Commissioner of Education of the State of New York, ET AL. Vs. Norwick ET AL. No. 76-808 Supreme Court of United States Argued January 10, 1979 Decided April 17, 1979 Background Appellee Norwick was born in Scotland, but moved to Great Britain. She has resided in the country since 1965 and is married to a U.S. citizen. Appellee Dachinger is a Finnish subject who also came to the U.S. due to marriage. Both currently meet all the educational requirements New York has set for certification as a public school teacher, but have consistently refused to seek citizenship in spite of their eligibility to do so. Norwick applied in 1973 for a teaching certificate through sixth grade, and Dachinger applied during 1975 for the same grades. Both were denied because of appellees’ failure to meet the requirements of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Norwick soon filed this suit hoping for the enforcement of the clause above. Dachinger obtained leave to intervene as a plaintiff. Decision The cases presented the question of whether a State, consistently with the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, may refuse to employ as elementary and secondary teachers aliens who are eligible for United States citizenship but who refuse to seek naturalization. New York Education Law forbids certification as a public school teacher of any person who is not a United States Citizen. But they may be hired if that person has manifested an intention to apply for citizenship. The Commissioner of Education is authorized to create exemptions from this prohibition, and has done so with respect to aliens who are not yet eligible for citizenship. If a teacher obtains certification, he/she may not work in a public school setting in New York. Impact of Teachers As teachers, know the requirements to becoming a teacher in the country, state, or county you are involved in. Also, if you feel you are being mistreated or your rights are being violated, always fight for what you believe is right when it is necessary. Pick your battles. Question What clause did Norwick and Dachinger feel was being violated? Jenna Bass, Megan Good, and Chelsea Moody